My Home Ideas

Special Offers

Be the first to know about This Old House contests, sweepstakes, and events and receive special offers and promotions from your favorite home improvement brands. We'll even send you regular reminders to enter our sweepstakes.

If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Threaded View

main support beam in 85 year old house

Ok my main support beam is 23 feet long resting on the outside foundations on the east and west side of the house then also on a 2 foot by 2 foot pier in the center of the basement. A 43 inch section was cut out right next to the center pier so it is supported by the pier and then where the cut was made there is a steel post. Is there a way to connect the beam? should I add more posts? The short part of the beam that is held up by the post and foundation sags about an inch in comparison to the rest of the beam/floor. My house is 1 1/2 story and has a larger door way right above the beam from dining room to living room. I think the section was cut out over 30 or 40 years ago. And I never noticed it until we replaced the old furnace since that was right where it was. Any suggestions please!!